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PM says Aust, Japan now better friends

Japan and Australia are officially even better friends, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and visiting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe swapping compliments at an official dinner in Perth.

Mr Abbott, who earlier on Wednesday accompanied Mr Abe on a visit to the joint Australian-Japanese iron mine in the Pilbara, said the partnership with Japan had deepened in extraordinary ways in the past few days.

He said Mr Abe was his friend.

"But more importantly I can say with certainty and confidence that Japan is Australia's true friend and that Australia is Japan's true friend. We should never set limits on what we can achieve," he said at the dinner.

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Mr Abbott said he and Mr Abe had seen what had been achieved in their visit to the Pilbara.

"I look forward to Australia and Japan marching together into the future," he said.

Mr Abe said he was much impressed with the vast size of Australia and the five hours it took to fly from Canberra to Western Australia.

"I was able to discuss a lot of topics with Mr Abbott and so five hours I think even made both countries' relationship much closer," he said.

Mr Abe said Australia had Japan had lifted the relationship with the signing of agreements on economic partnership and defence co-operation.

He said 57 years ago his grandfather visited Australia and signed the agreement of commerce.

"Since then both countries became true friends," he said.

"I came away with the impression this time that the Australia people are very much convinced that Japan is a true friend."